OCT, 18-24: English Unemployment; His Future Shaky, Major Reverses Himself On Mines and Miners

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October 25, 1992, Page 004002 The New York Times Archives

John Major has accomplished in 10 days something no other Conservative Prime Minister has been able to do: unite most of Britain behind the National Union of Mineworkers.

By floating an ill-considered proposal that would have closed 31 of 50 coal mines, and putting three-quarters of Britain's 41,000 miners out of work, Mr. Major set off a storm of public protest, including a rebellion within his own party.

The Government said it needed to close the mines because they are producing coal for which there is no market. Critics said the Government not only was sacrificing coal in favor of natural gas, but had proven itself a master of bad timing: the unemployment rate has just bumped over 10 percent, with more than 8,000 jobs being lost each week.

Facing an embarrassing defeat in Parliament, Mr. Major made a U-turn last week, reducing the hit list to 10 mines and 7,300 jobs and promising a review of Britain's energy policy. He was narrowly endorsed in the House of Commons.

This was the latest in a series of reversals for the Government, which is under pressure because of its European and economic policies. But the Prime Minister and his Government won re-election six months ago and, barring some calamity that would erode his majority in Parliament, Mr. Major should have time to work on his shattered credibility.

A version of this article appears in print on October 25, 1992, on Page 4004002 of the National edition with the headline: OCT, 18-24: English Unemployment; His Future Shaky, Major Reverses Himself On Mines and Miners. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe